Title: Persepolis in Turmoil: A Critical Juncture for the Former Champions
A State of Uncertainty
The Persepolis Football Club is currently navigating a period of significant instability. The most pressing question surrounding the club concerns the future of its head coach, Vahid Hashemian. Following a series of disappointing results, the central debate is whether he will retain his position or be dismissed.
Pressure Mounts on the Coach
Amidst this crisis, there were expectations from some players and individuals close to the team that Hashemian would step down following the resignation of Reza Darvish. This sentiment is fueled by calls for his departure from segments of the fanbase and numerous analysts who consider him insufficiently experienced for a club of Persepolis’s stature. However, in a definitive response to recent events, Hashemian has publicly stated he has no intention of resigning. He has expressed firm belief that under his continued leadership, the team can overturn its recent poor form in upcoming matches.
Eroding Support and the Search for Successors
This stance comes at a time when the coach appears to be losing the backing of some of his own assistants and team management. Furthermore, the club’s board, with the approval of its main stakeholders including the City Bank, is actively seeking a suitable replacement. With a substantial budget approved, the board is prioritizing a restructuring of the technical staff. High-profile names such as Branko Ivanković and OSMAR VIEIRA are reportedly at the top of the list to potentially succeed Hashemian.
A Divided Dressing Room
Despite the pressure from management, the situation within the team is complex. Key figures, including team captain Karim Bagheri and prominent players like Omid Alishah, Mohammad Hossein Kanaani, Ali Alipour, and Morteza Pouraliganji, have voiced their support for Hashemian. They share the coach’s optimism that the team’s performance is poised for improvement, creating a clear division between the squad’s view and that of the club’s administration.
Management’s Decisive Stance
Ultimately, the decision rests with the club’s board. Reports indicate that senior management, led by Mehdi Ahmadi as the CEO of City Bank, strongly favors a change in leadership for the Reds. The board of directors is largely aligned with this position, setting the stage for a critical decision that will define the club’s immediate future.